ON THE TRAIL

Since the rear wheel weighs about
15 pounds more than that found used
by a typical mountain bike, it works as a
pile driver over rocks and roots, meaning the bike is much more susceptible
to rear pinch flats. HPC combats that
by installing a super-heavy-duty, thick
downhill tube in the rear wheel. It recommends 55 psi as well. We opted to
risk a flat in the name of traction and
ran 35 to 40 psi in the rear off-road and
40 or more on pavement. Still, do yourself a favor and ditch the Kenda Small
Block 8 tires for something more robust.
A pair of Kenda’s Nevegal tires would
suit this bike better.

We chose the entry-level suspension
package, including a RockShox XC- 32
fork. The fork did its job dutifully, but a
more robust fork with improved damper
control, like our new favorite from the
RockShox line, the Pike, would really
make this bike come alive. We tuned
the clickers and sag on the RockShox
Monarch RL shock, and we were able
to find a setting that worked fine for all
the conditions we encountered.

The battery pack tucks neatly in the
under-the-top-tube bag, and we were
very impressed with how well HPC
keeps it from contacting the rider when
pedaling. For off-road riding, though,
the mounting system still needs some
refinement. The battery slides around
in the pack and makes a great deal of
noise when the trail gets rough.

BUYING ADVICE

We were skeptical at first, thinking
the HPC would simply be a dumb-ed-down motorcycle, but after just a
few rides, we realized the HPC is different than that. For many riders, the
ride is not about suffering, sweating
and proving themselves. They want to
experience the trail and don’t care about
beating it. It’s a way for riders to get out
and experience mountain biking in terrain they otherwise would never be able
to access because of fitness or physical
limitations. It’s a great way to rip a quick
after-work ride when time is short. It’s
also a fantastic way to leave commuter
traffic in the dust, so long as your work
is closer than 15 or 20 miles away. ■